Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Are Tied for the Lead at the Zurich Classic - Latest Global News
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are tied for the lead at the Zurich Classic

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Are Tied for the Lead at the Zurich Classic

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Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry held on to a share of the lead at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans on Friday, with the Irish duo posting a two-under 70 in transition in the PGA Tour’s only team event.

The teams of Davis Thompson-Andrew Novak, Ryan Brehm-Mark Hubbard and Aaron Rai-David Lipsky tied McIlroy and Lowry at 13 under at TPC Louisiana. They will play the best ball on Saturday and finish with an alternative shot on Sunday.

Patrick Cantlay and

McIlroy and Lowry, who opened with a best-ball 61 on Thursday, overcame Lowry’s putting woes midway through the round and finished with back-to-back birdies. Lowry missed two short birdie putts and a makeable par putt.

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Lowry collapsed to the ground in relief when his tee shot narrowly missed a water hazard at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans

“I just tried to keep him as positive as possible and remind him that I’m here and I’m here to support him in any way I can,” McIlroy said.

Lowry recovered with a long par-saving putt on the fourth hole and shot to within inches on the eighth hole after a mammoth drive from McIlroy from a greenside bunker.

“I missed a pretty short one on 18 and then another on the second,” Lowry said. “I started to look into myself a little bit, but rolling this in [on the fourth hole] was nice, and playing the last few holes the way we did was really nice too.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to his chip on the ninth green during the second round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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Rory McIlroy reacts to a chip on the ninth green

Rai and Lipsky had a one-shot lead heading into the 18th hole when Lipsky hit a wild hook that landed out of play.

Lipsky made a bogey putt that helped the team retain a share of the lead.

“It was nice for me to make that putt after I double-crossed the drive off the tee,” Lipsky said. “That wasn’t fun, to be honest.”

Cantlay and Schauffele had the best round of the day with a 67. They were tied for the lead on the 18th, but Cantlay’s tee shot hit the water and resulted in bogey.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland congratulates his teammate Shane Lowry of Ireland after ending the day on the ninth green during the second round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., on Friday, April 26. 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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McIlroy congratulates his teammate Shane Lowry, who has been leading for part of the day

The first two days saw record attendance, which tournament officials attributed to the presence of McIlroy, the world number two, who enjoyed the city’s cuisine.

Earlier this week, he admitted that he was planning a quick visit to Bourbon Street in the city’s famous French Quarter, but that hadn’t materialized as of Friday.

“Maybe this afternoon might be the right time,” he joked after his morning round.

Watch the Zurich Classic from New Orleans live on Sky Sports all weekend. Early coverage continues on Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Saturday before full coverage from 5.45pm.

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